Mine car sealing device



June 3, 1952 R. E. JONES MINE CAR SEALING DEVICE 4 Sheetis-Shet 1 Filed April 8, 1949 Q Q A ROBERT E. JONES,

June 3, JONES MINE CAR SEALING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 8, 1949 June 3, 1952 R. E. JONES MINE CAR SEALING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 8, 1949 M li Patented June 3, 1952 "f s "UNITED STATES PATENT F IC MINE CAR SEALING DEVICE Robert E.- Jones, Knoxville, Tenn., assignor to The Sanford'lnvestment Company, Wilming ton, Del., .a corporation of Delaware Application April 8, 1949, Serial No. 86,331

6 Claims. (Cl. 105--253) This invention relates to improvements in mine car sealing devices, particularly for sealing the drop bottom doors of-mine cars used for transporting coal or other materials from a loading point to a point of discharge, where such materials are discharged through-the bottom of the car uponrelease of the drop bottom doors therein.

In mine cars used for the transportation of coal and other loose lading, it is important that the drop bottom doors be sealed at the opposite edges thereof against the leakage of coal between the edges of the doors and theside sills of the car. It is diflicult to form the doors so these will fit so closely to the inside faces of the side sills as to prevent the leakage of loose coal therebetween. Consequently, special provision should be made for sealing the space between the edges of the doors and the side sills against the leakage of coal therebetween.

In mine cars of the character in which the wheels are deeply recessed into the side walls, leakage occurs also between the wheel hoods that cover the wheels and the adjacent portions of the doors, especially where drop bottom doors are hinged between the hoods. Provisions have been suggested heretofore for sealing the edges of the doors between the hoods, but these have required rather special fabrication, in order to provide the necessary sealing action.

An object of this invention is to improve the construction of mine cars and the other vehicles, especially of large capacity, and particularly the means for sealing the lateral edges ofthe bot tom doors between the wheel hoods, without increasing materially the cost of fabrication of the vehicles nor adding to the complexity thereof. 1 I

A further objectof the invention is to improve the construction of the tie connection between the wheel hoods, whereby the transverse tie plate extending therebetween which joins opposed hoods may be utilized also for sealing the edges of the doors at the inner sides of thewheel hoods without requiring additional fabrication of special sealing means therefor.

This object may be accomplished, according to certain embodiments of the invention, by the provision of a tie plate which extends transversely between opposed hoods over the wheels and is joined thereto at the inner faces of the hoods, with wings or extensions on the lateral edges of the tie plate overlapping the crack between the lateral edges of the doors and the inner faces of the hoods. These wings or extensions may be formed so as to extend throughout the length of the tie plate or to be provided only at the opposite'ends thereof, whichever may be desired, but project inwardly from the inner faces of the wheel hoods sufliciently to overlap the adjacent edges of the doors and thereby seal the checks between the lateral edges of-the doors and the inner faces-of the wheel hoods. This saves materially in the cost of fabricatingthe car as compared with special provisions for sealing these portions of the doors which otherwise would add considerably to the cost of constructing the car both in labor and material.

Certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the I accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is aside elevation of an end portion of a mine car showing the invention applied thereto; I

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through a side of the car at the wheel hood and tie plate thereof, substantially on the line'33 in Fig. 4; i Fig. 4 is a cross section th'erethrough on the line 4+4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail section on the line 55 in Fig.4; I

Fig. 6 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. '7 is a longitudinal sectional view through a modified form of tie plate;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view thereof; and

Fig.9 is a cross section of the tie plate as applied to a modified form of door structure.

While the invention'may be applied to various forms and-types of vehicles, such as mine cars, trucks, wagons, etc., it is shown merely for purpose of illustration of one embodiment of the invention as used in connection with a 4-wheel mine car of the character having drop bottom doors adapted to be latched'in closed position and to be released for dumping the lading between the tracks.

In this form, as illustrated particularly in Figs. 1' to 5, the wheels are designated generally by the numeral l, mountedon axles 2, which axles are connected with sidev sills 3, by hanger bushings 4 (Figs. 3 and 4). The side sills 3 .extend lengthwise of the car and are connected at their opposite ends with combined end sills and bumpers generally designatedat 5, cooperating therewith to form the frame structure.- of

- the car.

. 3 spective side sills, and joined to end walls I, at the respective opposite .ends of the car; As

each of which is shown as pivotally supported on a hinge rod H, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5,.

which. hinge rods are mounted in-brackets 4-2,

secured to the inner faces of -the o.pposed side sills 3. In this form of the:invention,- thedo0rs are shown as of the overlapping type, wherein the free edge of one door lo issupported upon the hinge edge of the next rearward door in In the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, the tie plates I5 extend in straight lines from side to side of the car, including the wing sections I1 thereon. If desired, however, these wing sections may be provided only at the opposite edges of the doors as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8-, while the intermediate portion of the tie plate 15, is cut away to its normal width as indicated gen- .erally'iat 15' in Figs. ,7 and18,while .the wing sections are shown at H (formed thereon, or connected therewith, at the opposite ends of the tie plate I5. These wing sections H extend substantially throughout the width of the wheel .hood as 'describedabove and inwardly in over- ;lappin'gxrelation .with the crack between the -;door:and the wheel hood wall, as will be evident such relation that swinging movement '.'.0f...sa'.id

rearward door will remove the hinge edge thereof -out;.of tsupporting relation --with -.-the Jfree'edge .of

thenextforward door so astorelease the-doors .for dropping. xln this form :of the invention, the rearward door :has :the .free edgey-thereof :latched capable f .beingreleased .for opening thedoors .to dump the .lading. a

-..--Each of the doors -l*0-,extends;.from si e-to side of '-the gear, substantially -.to close the space be- -tween .the' inner faces of the side si11s3. although -clearance :is :provided \therebetween I as indicated at "l-3. ;in Fig. -.to. permit freedom of :swinging -movement .of the :doors with respect .to -the .-side sills. The :free edges :of the doors may the pro- -vided withwupturned flanges 'or- .-e dge bars It,

*extendingalongthe'length thereof.

The axles 2 are covered by tie plates [5, that ..extend transversely of .the-carirom side to :side (thereof .between the'inner walls =9 of the wheel hoods 8. The opposite ends of the tie plates i5 are adapted to 'be'secured rigidly to ftheinner 'rwalls i9 of the "wheel hoods ein any: suitable .manner, :by welding, zriveting, etc. .Angle bars VIE r are-shown aslweldedito the;sides:of-the tie {plates .15 at'the :endsJthereof-iand -130 :the .inner face of the Wheel hood wall 9, as;a means ofusecuring lithe --tie :'p1ate:thereto. r

In the cform illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5. the tie plate I5 is in the'formof a platerbent lto' inverted '-'V'.-form and disposed with:its"apexrsubstantially in a plane through thesaxis of theaxlefi', :asswill be evidentzinFigA. i-Eachxif the oppositeisides or the :plate $15 is .formedtwith extended "wing sections 1 I, :formingmontinuations :thereof-tand of :suflicient extent .120 :project throughout the width 'of the wheel hood'inner wall- 9,:oyerlapping the "crack :13, :between ith'e opposite :edgescof tthe door and the :inner :face a of .thezwheel thoodwall. These wing sections :li'l :unay .extend directly in alignment with ahexrespective :sides 'of the'rtie plate' l'5.'-or betdrnedatiamangletthereto,=:according to the' desired formzthereofgbutzare :joined directly to the inner face of each wall -.9, ;a'nd

thus :seatthe 'interiorzof .theacar :against :leakage i' through 'therzcrazckszbetween the edges of the doors.an'dasaid'innerwalls:9.. I, 7

flhusjzprovisionz-is ;rnade for aafiectivelyv sealing erally in Fig. 3, wherein the inner edgesmi the side walls 6, overlap the :fiange :.'bars 1:! *of the door's, as indicated at 1&8, :torcover ithe acrack thereb'etweem .from Fig. 7. 7

'InFigJ'9 isillustrated a further modification inrwhichf-the tie plate [5 of the same construction described above in Figs. 1 to 5 extends between the wheel hoods, but .is provided with aifiange 1 9 .on one edge thereof, extending downwardly in overlapping relation .with .a .porticnbf .the door supporting-means. :In .thisiorm, .thedoors 1.0 are hinged rat 4 l adapted tor glongitudinal,

sliding movement .into andaout .of supporting positionv in a manner well understood .in .thetart, this being a construction utilizing doors .that drop in 1 2-3 order, as described .more :-in detail in :Sani'ordPatent, No. 2,001,471.- .Other'.wise-.the tie;plate.construction similanto-;that.described above in its construction and function.

This ;provision for -sealing the a cracks ;between the edges .of the 'doors sand :the wheel .--hoods cooperates with the sealingmeans f'liB, ,interimediate' the hoods, rto,prov-i de eontinuouwsealing :body, :deeply recessed iwheelqhoode' coverings {connected with :thelading gbodyaon opposite-sides thereof over-:the wheels, and-..- a-door:forclosing said .bottom :andihavingi the edge portionstthereof tin-relatively close proximity to the, side: sill:strnc- :tures, :the tcombination 10f ra tie -;.p1ate: extending abetwe'en ithe =oppo'site iwfheel hood acoverings;.-and -:connected therewith 1and'5'having wing ssections on :opposite edges :thereof c extending :--in ;...overlappingrelation with ithe cracks ibetweenxthe door and the hood coverings substantially throughout :the widthto :the latter.

J 2. In-:a vehicle having 1a; la'ding iiaedytwithaside sill sstructures :separated land having ;a bottom opening ztherebetweentforr the dischargezdfiladhag :therethrough, iwheels rand taxlesisfor (supporting ithe iladin'g: body, wheel :h'o'o'd: coverings: connected I with the ladin'g :bd'dy a on. :oppositla sides thereof over the wheels rand withgthe axlegzextending .therebetween, .eachtoisaid wheel :hood :coverings having ianinnergwall.closing-theinnen endztherepf totthe' interiorlof ithe abodygdeors for. closing-the bottom "opening and having esupporting :mea-ns therefor between the: opposite:wheelhoodmover- :ings, said doors shaving; lateral: edge zportions Fin relatively: close gproximitysto -the;*side SillaStIHO- ,tures with cracks' therebetween; and between .the :doors .and the inner walls .of-ethe qwheel hood ccverings, the combination of a tie plate extending transversely between the opposite wheel hood coverings and fixed at its opposite ends to the inner walls thereof, said tie plate having lateral wing sections on opposite edges thereof overlapping the cracks between the doors and the inner walls of the wheel hood coverings substantially throughout the width of the latter.

3. In a vehicle having a lading body with side sill structures separated and having a bottom opening therebetween for the discharge of lading therethrough, wheels and axles for supporting the lading body, wheel hood coverings connected with the lading body on opposite sides thereof over the wheels and with the axles extending therebetween, each of said wheel hood coverings having an inner wall closing the inner end thereof to the interior of the body, doors for closing the bottom opening and having supporting means therefor between the opposite wheel hood coverings, said doors having lateral edge portions in relatively close proximity to the side sill structures with cracks therebetween and between the doors and the inner walls of the wheel hood coverings, the combination of a tie plate extending transversely between the opposite wheel hood coverings and fixed at its opposite ends to the inner walls thereof, said tie plate having lateral win sections on opposite edges thereof overlapping the cracks between the doors and the inner walls of the wheel hood coverings substantially throughout the width of the latter, said tie plate being formed of substantially V-shape and extending over the axles and the door supporting means.

4. In a vehicle having a lading body with side sill structures separated and having a bottom opening therebetween for the discharge of lading therethrough, wheels for supporting the lading body, axles for the wheels connected with the side sill structures, wheel hood coverings in the lading body on opposite sides thereof over the wheels and having inner walls closing the wheel hood coverings from the interior of the ladin body, doors for closing the bottom opening between the side sill structures and between the wheel hood coverings with opposite edges in relatively close proximity to said side sill structures and said inner walls of the wheel hood coverings and with cracks therebetween, a tie plate substantially of inverted V-shape extending between opposite wheel hood coverings over the axle and door supporting means and having opposite ends thereof permanently fixed to the inner faces of the inner walls of the wheel hood coverings, said tie plate having lateral wing sections thereon at least at opposite ends thereof overlapping the cracks between the doors and the wheel hood coverings throughout the width of each wheel hood covering.

5. In a vehicle having a lading body with side sill structures separated and having a bottom opening therebetween for the discharge of lading therethrough, wheels for supporting the lading body, axles for the wheels connected with the side sill structures, deeply recessed wheel hood coverings in the lading body on opposite sides thereof over the wheels and having inner walls closing the wheel hood coverings from the interior of the lading body, doors for closing the bottom opening between the side sill structures and between the wheel hood coverings with opposite edges in relatively close proximity to said side sill structures and said inner walls of the wheel hood coverings and with cracks therebetween, a tie plate substantially of inverted V- shape extending between opposite wheel hood coverings over the axle and door supporting means and having opposite ends thereof permanently fixed directly to the inner faces of the inner walls of the wheel hood coverings, said tie plate having lateral wing sections thereon at least at opposite ends thereof overlapping the cracks between the doors and the wheel hood coverings throughout the width of each wheel hood covermg.

6. In a vehicle having a lading body with side sill structures separated and having a body opening therebetween for the discharge oflading therethrough, wheels for supporting the lading body, deeply recessed wheel hood coverings connected with the lading body on opposite sides thereof over the wheels, drop bottom doors having adjacent ends with a crack therebetween and extending transversely between the side sill structures in positions substantially to close said body opening, and a tie connection between the wheel hood coverings substantially over the crack between the doors, said tie connection having lateral edge portions extending over the cracks between the side edges of the doors and the adiacent side sill structures and substantially throughout the space between the wheel hood coverings and sealing said space at the lateral edges of the doors.

ROBERT E. JONES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,851,214 Sanford et a1 Mar. 29, 1932 2,030,938 Rich Feb. 18, 1936 

